Background checks suggested for in-home care workers

Nursing home and personal home health care workers must pass criminal background checks, but home health care company employees are not regulated that way.

Aging advocates say more South Georgians are seeking in-home care because they don't want to go into a nursing home.

SOWEGA Council on Aging and Probate court officials recommend that families seeking in-home care hire a reputable local company and check it out.

"It's their responsibility to check backgrounds on their people they hire," said Kay Hind with the Council. "And they should be bonded if they are going into your home. So you need to ask those questions."

The SOWEGA Council on Aging recommends that before you let anyone into your home to care for a loved one you conduct your own background check.